Bathroom scale

ABSTRACT

A platform-type bathroom scale having a transparent plastic cover mounted on the platform with the underside painted a desired decorator color except for a circular or other shaped portion with defines a dial-viewing window. The sides of the cover may be draped downwardly over the base of the scale.

United States Patent [191 Artwick et' al.

BATHROOM SCALE 1 1 [75] lnventorsi Kert Edward Artwick, Morton 'Grove; Robert Anthony ONeil, Glen Ellyn, both of m.

[73] Assignee: Hanson ScaleCompany, Chicago, Il1.

22] Filed: July 10, 1972 [21] Appl. No.2 270,046

- 52' s. (:1. 177/180, 177/238 [51] Int. Cl. G0lg 21/28 [58] Field of Search 177/180-182, 177/238, 239, 253

[56] I I References Cited 1 UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,167,144 1/1965 Jacobs 'et a1. 177/239 X 3,128,838 4/1964 Monk 177/181 2,788,963 v4/1957 [4 May '21, 1974 2,069,757 2/1937 Hansen 177/238 2,056,546 10/1936 Weber et a1. 177/239 X 3,187,826 6/1965 Traff 177/180'X 3,243,002 3/1966 Reibold.... 177/180 3,481,415 12/1969 Hutchinso 177/182 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,122,379 v 8/1968 Great Britain 177/180 Primary Examiner-Richard Wilkinson Assistant ExaminerStan1'ey .l. Witkowski Attorney, Agent, or Firm-George R. Clark; Neil M.

Rose; Clifford A. Dean [5 7] ABSTRACT 10 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTH] MAY 21 I974 SHEET 1 0F 4 1; BATHROOM SCALE art but to the best of our knowledge, there have been no developments of a platform-type scale having a transparent plastic cover mounted on the platform with depending side wall portions and with a dial-viewing window being defined by painting the underside of the cover a desired color except for the portion defining the dial-viewing window. The weight-sensing mechanism-disclosed in our present application is known in the art as previously'stated herein.

} SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is concerned with a bathroom scale which includes'a base in which is provided a weight-sensing mechanism, a platform supported by the weight-sensing mechanism and having an opening formed therein to expose all or a part of an indicia bearing dial of the weight sensing mechanism, and a transparent plastic cover mounted on the platform and having depending side walls which extend downwardly to cover most of the base of the scale. The underside tor line maybe provided in the viewing window by an v integral rib formed on the'underside of the cover which may be hot stampeda desired color.

It is an object of the presentinvention to provide a new and novel bathroom or'bedroom scale.

his a further object of the present invention to provide such a scalewherein a-platform type scale is providedwith' a transparent cover with the underside being painted any desired color except for a circular or other shaped dial-viewing window.

It is'a still furtherobjec't of the present invention to provide such ascale Whereinthe sides ot the cover are gracefully draped downwardly to cover the base of the scale and thus provide an overall pleasing appearance.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a scale wherein the cover is formed by injection molding with the dial-viewing window being defined by an integral rib formation on the underside of the cover to facilitate painting of the remaining portion of the underside of the cover.

Still another object of the presentinvention is to provide such a scale wherein an indicator line in the viewing window is defined by an integral rib formed on the underside of the cover, which indicator rib may be hot stamped any desired color.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a bathroom scale wherein the cover is mounted on the platform of the scale by means of a double-sided, pressure-sensitive adhesive tape.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds, and the features of novelty which characterize the invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bathroom scale ern- FIG. 6 is an enlarged vertical section taken through one corner of the scale along line 6-6 of FIG. 2 showing the adhesive attachment of the cover to the platr FIG. 7 is a fragmentary enlarged plan view of the base portion of the scale with the platform removed and with parts broken away for clarity of illustration of the weight sensing mechanism;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary vertical section view taken generally along line 88 of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical section view taken generally along line 9--9 of FIG. 7. 4

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now'to the drawings in which like parts are designated by like numerals in the various views, there is shown in FIG. 1 a platform-type bathroom scale 12 which embodies our invention. As best shown in FIG. 5, the scale 12 includes a base 13 having an upstanding peripheral rim l4 and a platform 15 having a depending peripheral skirt 16, both the base Bend the platform 15 preferably being formed from sheet metal. A novel cover is mounted on the platform 15 and is characterized by a top portion 21, depending side walls 22, a depending front wall 24, and a depending rear wall which terminates above the bottom edges of the walls 22 and 24 for a reason that will be discussed hereinafter. The cover 20 is characterized by an indicia viewing window 27 for viewing the indicia representing the weight applied to the platform lSthrough the cover 20 and sensed by a weight-sensing mechanism 30 disposed in the base 13 and supporting the platform 15 and the cover 20.

The weight-sensing mechanism 30 is substantially identical to that described and claimed in US. Pat. No. 3,589,460, issued June 29, 1971 to Stan B. l-lanssen, and assigned to the assignee of this invention. As best illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, the weight-sensing mechanism includes a pair of primary levers 31 and a pair of secondary levers 32 (only one shown herein) each of which overhangs the rim 14 of the base 13 with each secondary lever 32 being connected to one of the primary levers 31 by suitable connecting means 33 for conjoint movement. It is intended that portions of each of levers 31 and 32 will abut the underside of platform so that when weight is applied to the platform 15 through the cover 20, the levers will be deflected downwardly.

Free ends 35 of each of levers 31 seat upon calibrating washer extension 34. Washer extension 34 is mounted about an upstanding post 36 and normally supported by a tension spring 37 positioned about the post and secured in a slot 38 at the top thereof. The washer extension 34 has a crank engaging portion 39 which abuts the underside of the lip 40 of crank 41. As the calibrating washer extension 34 moves up and down responsive to the deflection of the lever system 31 and 32, this movement issensed by the crank 41 and is transmitted into rotational movement of the crank 41.

Crank 41 has two generally spaced-apart ears 42 and 44, each of which has through openings 42a which are generally aligned with each other. Ears 42 and 44 of crank 41 lie between ears 46 and 48 and are joined togetherby crossmember 49 to form a crank support or carrier 50. Bars 46 and 48 of crank support 50 are also provided with aligned openings 46a. In addition, ear 46 is provided with a lower opening 46b near the bottom thereof. This opening 46b is for receiving adjustment link 52, and particularly a pinlike, inturned end 520 thereof. The other end 52b of link 52 is threaded and connected to a knob 52c which projects rearwardly of the base 13 so that rotation of knob 520 causes axial displacement of link 52 and thereby pulls the lower portion of ear 46 forwardly and rearwardly.

A lever system or readout mechanism frame 54 is provided for supporting components thereof. Frame 54 is a generally U-shaped channel member, preferably formedof sheet metal stock, and includes a base 56 and upright, spaced-apart, parallel sidewalls 50 and 60. Base 56 maybe provided with suitable means such as openings 56a for securement to the scale base 13 by suitable fastening means.

. The crank and crank support components previously described are held together as a unit by a pinlike fastening-means 62, whichpreferably is a generally U-shaped structure of wirelike stock having a pair of pin elements or legs 62a and 62b joined together by a bight portion 620. Leg 62a extends through aligned openings in the crank 41 and the crank support 50 whereby to pivotally spring 64 extends under, and biases upwardly against, the other leg 62a of fastener 62. The effect of this mounting arrangement is best seen in FIGS. 8 and 9. By this arrangement, leg 62b of fastener 62 is forced against the bottom edge of aligned openings in walls 58 and 60 and crank support 50. Similarly, leg 62a is forced against the top portion of opening 46a and the other openings in alignment therewith. Furthermore, inturned end 52a of zero adjustment link 52 is pulled against the rear edge of opening 46b in the bottom of ear 46 of crank support 50. Thus, these three connections are held against movement relative to the openings through which the pinlike portions pass. This provides the advantage of permitting normal manufacturing tolerances to be used with respect to the formation of the aforedescribed openings and pinlike portions while at the same time insuring that, following assembly, the several members will be held together against relative movement with respect to each other, other than the desired intended functional movement of the pivot of the crank and the ability ot move the crank support forwardly and rearwardly to adjust the scale for zero setting responsive to threading of knob 520 on link 52.

Crank 41 is provided with an outwardly extending arm 66 (FIG. 9) on one ear 44. A rack 68 having a toothed edge 70 intermediate its ends is pivoted at 72 to the arm 66 of crank 41. The other or hooked end 74 mount the crank 41 with respect to the support 50. Leg

of rack 68 is connected to one end of a spring 76 which, at its opposite end, is connected to a tab 78 formed from wall 58. By this arrangement, the rack 68 is suspended within the frame 54 and constantly urges the crank 41 forwardly, this motion being opposed by the washer extension 34 and its portion 39 which underlies 40 of crank 41.

An upstanding pinion gear 80, rotatable on a shaft 81, is provided in frame 54 in meshing engagement with the toothed edge of rack 68. A dial support 82 is connected with pinion 80 and supports a dial 84 which has weight measuring indicia 86 provided about the periphery thereof. The top surface of the platform 15 is provided with an opening which permits all or a portion of the indicia bearing dial 84 to be visible through the indicia viewing window 27 in the cover 20. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the platform opening 88 and the indicia viewing window 27 in the cover 20 are circular and of approximately the same diameter as the dial 84 whereby the entire dial 84 is visible to a user of the scale 12. The indicia viewing window 27 is provided with a diametrically extending indicator line 89, to be further described herein, which is centered between and extends parallel to the sidewalls 22 of the cover 20. A user may obtain a reading of the weight applied to platform 15 in that the levers 31 and 32 will deflect the washer extension 34, which will cause crank 41 to rotate downwardly, thereby pulling rack 68 rearwardly and rotating the pinion 80, its dial support 82 and the dial 84 therewith so that the proper weight indicia 86 will appear in alignment with the indicator line 89.

The lip 40 of crank 41 abuts an edge 39 of the washer extension 34. As the zero adjustment link 52 is moved forwardly and rearwardly this will pull the crank carrier forwardly and rearwardly and cause slight rotational movement thereof. However, this rotational movement will be extremely minimal with respect to the engagement of surface 40 and surface 39, but will be relatively significant with respect to the-extent-that rack 68 is moved forwardly and rearwa'rdly to rotate dial 84 for the zero adjustment. Thus, movement of the crank through a very minute path of 'arcuate travel will be sufficient to cause significant changes in the angular displacement of dial 84 to affectuate major zero adjustment-withlittle or no effect on the relationship between the crank 41 and the remainder of the lever mechanlsm.

This structure provides an independent readout mechanism which is extremely accurate and unaffected by problems of manufacturing tolerances. 'The entire readout mechanism exclusive of the levers 31 and 32 i is contained within the frame 54 which may be indethe crank and crank support being of such a nature asto eliminate relative movement between the pins and their apertures and therefore eliminate inaccuracies which may have occurred in these areas.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6, the novel cover 20 of the bathroom scale of the present invention is formed of a strong transparent plastic, for instance a polycarbonate resin such as Lexan 141 by an injection moldingprocess. As best shown in FIG. 4, the underside of the top portion 21 of the cover 20 is characterized by an integral circular rib 91 which defines the indicia viewing window27 and by an integral diametrically extending rib 92 which defines the indicator line 89previously described herein.

Exceptfor the indicia viewing window 27 defined by the circular rib 91, the entire inner surface of the cover 20 including the depending or draped walls 22,24 and 25 is painted any one of a number of decorator colors. The circular rib 91 is hot stamped with the same color, preferably, and the indicator line rib 91 ishot stamped in black or other desirable color. A small circular black stamp or decal 93 may be provided at the center of the indicia viewing window 27. v

As illustrated in FIGS. .2and 6, the cover 20 may be attached to the upper surface of the platform by four strips 94 of one-eighth inch thick foam, pressuresensitive, double-sided permanent adhesive tape, one each at'the four comers of the platform 15 and cover 20.

To, prevent undue flexure of the top surface of the platform 15 about'the opening 88 formed therein, an annular laminated chipboard pad 96 may be secured to the underside of the cover and fitted over the outer surface of the circular rib 91, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. When assembled, the seals 12 of the present invention provides an extremely attractive and colorful bathroom or'bedroom scalewith the front, rear and side walls of the cover 20 being casually but gracefully drapeddownwardly to cover the sheet metal base 13 and platform 15. It is noted that the rear wall of the cover terminates above the bottom edges of the front wall 24 and the side walls 22 to accommodate the zeroadjustment knob 52c.

Although in the illustrated preferred embodiment of our invention, the entire-dial 84 is visible through the indicia viewing window 27 to enhance the visual effects of the scale 12, it is noted that a modification of the ribbing and painting of the underside of the transparent plastic cover would provide an indicia viewing window through which only a portion of the dial 84 would be isible, within the scope of our present invention. Obviously, other weight-sensing mechanismsthan the one described and illustrated herein could be used with our platform cover within the scope of our present invention.

While there has been shown and described a single embodiment of the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects and it is, therefore, con templated in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

We claim:

1. A platform-type bathroom scale comprising, a base having upturned side walls, a platform disposed over said base, a weight-sensing mechanism disposed in said base and including an upwardly facing circular indicia bearing dial rotatably movable in response to a force exerted on said platform, said platform being movable relative to said base and having an opening formed therein exposing said dial, and a cover molded of a clear plastic material mounted on and overlying said platform for movement therewith and having downwardly curved integral side walls which depend vertically downwardly past said side walls of said base, the inner surface of said cover including said depending side walls being painted a desired color except for a portion overlying said dial whereby to define a transparent indicia viewing window in said cover.

2 The bathroom scale of claim 1 wherein said transparent indicia viewing window is circular and substantially equal in diameter to said indicia bearing dial whereby the-entire dial is viewable through said window.

3. The bathroom scale of claim 1 wherein the underside of said molded cover is characterized by an integral molded plastic rib defining said indicia viewing window.

4. The bathroom scale of claim 1 wherein the underside of said molded cover is provided within said indicia viewing window with an integral molded plastic linear rib which is painted to provide an indicator line as an aid in reading said dial.

5. The bathroom scale of claim l'wherein said cover is attached to the upper surface of said platform by strips of double-faced, pressure-sensitive adhesive tape.

6. A platform-type bathroom scale comprising, a base, a platform disposed over said base, a weightsensing mechanism disposed in said base including an upwardly facing circular indicating dial rotatably movable in response to a force exerted on said platform, said platform being movable relative to said base and having an opening formed therein exposing all of said dial, and a clear plastic cover mounted on said platform for movement therewith and having integral downwardly curved front, rear and side walls, all of which walls are disposed vertically, the inner surface of said cover including said depending front, rear and side walls being painted except for a portion thereof overlying all or a portion of said-indicating dial whereby to provide a transparent dial viewing window in said cover.

7 .The bathroom scale of claim 6 wherein said opening formed in said platform is circular with a diameter equal to the diameter of said indicating dial and wherein the unpainted viewing window portion of said cover is circular and of the same diameter as said platform opening whereby theentire indicating dial is visible through said window.

8. The bathroom scale of claim 6 wherein said clear plastic cover is molded and the underside is provided with an integral molded rib defining the outline of said dial viewing window.

9. The bathroom scale of claim 8 wherein the underside of said cover is further provided with an integral molded linear rib within said viewing window which is painted to define an indicator line for said dial.

10; A platform-type bathroom scale comprising, a base having upturned side walls, a platform having depending side walls disposed over said base, a weightsensing mechanism disposed in said base for supporting said platform for movement relative to said base and including an upwardly facing circular indicia bearing dial rotatably movable in response to a force exerted on said platform, a circular opening formed in the top of said platform in alignment with said dial with the entire dial being exposed, a molded transparent plastic cover mounted on and overlying said platform for movement therewith and having downwardly curved side walls which depend vertically past said side walls of said base, a circular plastic rib integrally molded on the underside of said cover and aligned with said opening formed in said platform to define a dial viewing window, the inner surface of said cover including said depending side walls except for said dial viewing window being painted any desirable color, and a painted indicator line for said dial viewing window. 

1. A platform-type bathroom scale comprising, a base having upturned side walls, a platform disposed over said base, a weight-sensing mechanism disposed in said base and including an upwardly facing circular indicia bearing dial rotatably movable in response to a force exerted on said platform, said platform being movable relative to said base and having an opening formed therein exposing said dial, and a cover molded of a clear plastic material mounted on and overlying said platform for movement therewith and having downwardly curved integral side walls which depend vertically downwardly past said side walls of said base, the inner surface of said cover including said depending side walls being painted a desired color except for a portion overlying said dial whereby to define a transparent indicia viewing window in said cover.
 2. The bathroom scale of claim 1 wherein said transparent indicia viewing window is circular and substantially equal in diameter to said indicia bearing dial whereby the entire dial is viewable through said window.
 3. The bathroom scale of claim 1 wherein the underside of said molded cover is characterized by an integral molded plastic rib defining said indicia viewing window.
 4. The bathroom scale of claim 1 wherein the underside of said molded cover is provided within said indicia viewing window with an integral molded plastic linear rib which is painted to provide an indicator line as an aid in reading said dial.
 5. The bathroom scale oF claim 1 wherein said cover is attached to the upper surface of said platform by strips of double-faced, pressure-sensitive adhesive tape.
 6. A platform-type bathroom scale comprising, a base, a platform disposed over said base, a weight-sensing mechanism disposed in said base including an upwardly facing circular indicating dial rotatably movable in response to a force exerted on said platform, said platform being movable relative to said base and having an opening formed therein exposing all of said dial, and a clear plastic cover mounted on said platform for movement therewith and having integral downwardly curved front, rear and side walls, all of which walls are disposed vertically, the inner surface of said cover including said depending front, rear and side walls being painted except for a portion thereof overlying all or a portion of said indicating dial whereby to provide a transparent dial viewing window in said cover.
 7. The bathroom scale of claim 6 wherein said opening formed in said platform is circular with a diameter equal to the diameter of said indicating dial and wherein the unpainted viewing window portion of said cover is circular and of the same diameter as said platform opening whereby the entire indicating dial is visible through said window.
 8. The bathroom scale of claim 6 wherein said clear plastic cover is molded and the underside is provided with an integral molded rib defining the outline of said dial viewing window.
 9. The bathroom scale of claim 8 wherein the underside of said cover is further provided with an integral molded linear rib within said viewing window which is painted to define an indicator line for said dial.
 10. A platform-type bathroom scale comprising, a base having upturned side walls, a platform having depending side walls disposed over said base, a weight-sensing mechanism disposed in said base for supporting said platform for movement relative to said base and including an upwardly facing circular indicia bearing dial rotatably movable in response to a force exerted on said platform, a circular opening formed in the top of said platform in alignment with said dial with the entire dial being exposed, a molded transparent plastic cover mounted on and overlying said platform for movement therewith and having downwardly curved side walls which depend vertically past said side walls of said base, a circular plastic rib integrally molded on the underside of said cover and aligned with said opening formed in said platform to define a dial viewing window, the inner surface of said cover including said depending side walls except for said dial viewing window being painted any desirable color, and a painted indicator line for said dial viewing window. 